Risks of Joint Replacement Surgery

1. Infection

Infections can occur either during a joint replacement procedure, or after when the wound is attempting to heal. The joint itself can actually become infected, which can cause a lot of pain and potential medical complications. There is the very real possibility of the replacement joint becoming injected, as well. In this case, the joint will have to be surgically removed and replaced once again.

2. Metal Allergy/Implant Rejection

It is possible that your body will reject the joint replacement implant. This could be due to an unknown metal allergy. Just by simply coming into contact with metal doesn’t always trigger an allergic reaction. But if coming into contact with bodily fluids for an extended period of time--like an implant--the body may have a reaction. Itching, swelling, oozing, rashes, and blisters around the implant site may indicate an allergy.

3. Loosening

All implants will eventually need to be replaced, it’s just a matter of when. The average lifespan of an implant is generally 15 years. Over time and after extensive use, an implant starts to weaken and wear out. Implants gradually become looser, in which the patient will then have to go through the entire joint replacement surgical process all over again, costing you even more time, money, and comfort.

4. Blood Clots

Deep Venous Thrombosis--when blood clots occur in deep veins in the legs and the pelvis--can be potentially life threatening. Clots can travel to other areas of the body, including the heart, lungs, and brain in which they can become fatal. Although it may be the last thing one wants to do, moving around and increasing circulation is incredibly important early on post joint replacement surgery,

5. Change in Leg Length

For hip and knee joint replacement surgeries, it is possible for the patient’s stance may be off kilter. This is due to the replacement joints increasing or decreasing leg length. This may seem humorous, but we can assure you that it is an incredible annoyance. Going back to everyday activities can become a hassle in this case.

6. Dislocation

Staying on the topic of hip surgery, it is recommended not to bend more than 90 degrees at the hip and don't let your leg cross the midline of your body post surgery. This can cause the new replacement joint to pop out of the hip socket, causing great discomfort. People who have received hip joint replacement surgery must be very careful in their daily lives not to overexert the flexibility of the joint, even in performing relatively simple tasks.

7. Excessive Scar Tissue

After any sort of trauma, the body’s natural response is to create scar tissue. Unfortunately, the body may overproduce scar tissue to compensate for the joint replacement procedure’s large amount of surgical trauma. This can cause the joint to become stiff to the point of it being relatively immobile, which can be very uncomfortable and a nuisance.

Contact Us

If you are considering joint replacement surgery, weigh the risks and the benefits. We understand your time and comfort are precious- call us today at 1-855-734-3678 or e-mail us at info@regenerismedical.com.